Gwyneth Paltrow's Brittle Bone Disease — Could You Have It And How Can You Prevent It?

Gwyneth recently wrote about suffering from a common bone disease, causing many to think it was a result of the macrobiotic diet she’s been on for the past 11 years — but it was something else!

BFFs, did you know that unprotected sunlight can actually be good for you? During a recent doctor’s trip diet and fitness addictGwyneth Paltrow learned she was at the beginning stages of osteopenia — a disease that can eventually lead to osteoporosis! The cause, a lack of Vitamin D, a nutrient derived from sunlight!

Gwyneth wrote about her experience on her newsletter GOOP saying she had the same fears we all do! “I was curious if this was safe, having been told for years to stay away from [the sun’s] dangerous rays, not to mention a tad bit confused,” the actress explained. Turns out, doctors say unprotected sunlight IS good!

Dr. Mark Liponis, the medical director of Canyon Ranch, tells us her condition is reversible with the help of unprotected sunlight. “Every adult needs 200 units of Vitamin D a day,” Dr. Liponis tells us.

“If you’re avoiding the sun, you’re going to be low in Vitamin D,” Dr. Liponis said. “There are two ways to correct it, take a separate Vitamin D supplement or by getting sun.” In her case, Gwyneth did both!

Because sunblock still inhibits your intake of Vitamin D, Dr. Liponis recommends applying protection on your face, arms, and chest only — to avoid sun damage — and to leave your other body parts to take in Vitamin D. The time depends on where you are, though Dr. Liponis recommends between 30-40 minutes of unprotected sunlight.

So there you have it BFFs, it’s okay to go without sunblock, for a SHORT period of time, this summer. Turns out, it’s good for you!